What if the CSA undercharge?

roadweary

As I said, I will wait for the paperwork to come through and verify the numbers fully then.

My income decreased a lot over the last year but not nearly as much as the new payment schedule I was told verbally suggests.

I am just trying to do the right thing but wanted to check how it works so that if they don't listen to me (and they have got sums wrong before and taken months to accept my calculations) I don't end up with a big arrears payment due that I haven't prepared myself for.

kevin137

If you think you have an assessment that is under, then you have 2 choices, tell them you think it is not enough, or ignore it... That is not to say that if you tell them they will get it right after, but whichever you choose, if you think it is too little, then work out what you think it should be and put away the difference, so if they ever did come back to you the money is there...!!!

With this option, it could be a long while of putting money away that never gets used, however, when the end is eventually in sight, if they do not come after you, and your child/ren decide uni is what they want you will have a little money to help fund it that you would not otherwise of saved, and if they do want it at a later date you can quite simply pay... After making a complaint of course and seeking compensation as well...

krashovrload

roadweary wrote: »

My income decreased a lot over the last year but not nearly as much as the new payment schedule I was told verbally suggests.

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How much has it changed?

I've done a quick calculation (using the website) based on my current and last job and the variation between CSA assessments is £7 a week.

It's based on paying maintenance for 1 child and 1 child in the household. I've not made any deduction for pension.

Current job £31
Old job £38

The difference in wages? A drop of £3800

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roadweary

krashovrload wrote: »

++
How much has it changed?

I've done a quick calculation (using the website) based on my current and last job and the variation between CSA assessments is £7 a week.

It's based on paying maintenance for 1 child and 1 child in the household. I've not made any deduction for pension.

Current job £31
Old job £38

The difference in wages? A drop of £3800

++

My income has reduced by about 12%, my weekly payment has gone down by 30%.

HoneyNutLoop

If your earnings were previously over £200/week net and are now under that, you will have moved from the basic rate calculation to the reduced rate, which would result in a more pronounced reduction in payments.

To illustrate:
Original earnings £210/week x15% for one child = £32 maintenance a week.

Earnings reduced by 12% = £184.80.
Reduced rate calc for 1 child is:
£84.80 x25% = £21.20 + £5 flat rate = £26 a week maintenance.

Resultant reduction in maintenance = 18.75%.

Obviously 30% is considerably more, but as you suggest I would wait for your letter to review the figures therein.